Ex Minister Happy To Pervert Democracy?

The reports of ex government ministers being willing to sell their services by using their familiarity with government procedures, ministers and other politicians is shocking but, disappointingly, not something we should be all that surprised by.

It has always been the case that when ministers leave government they get high paid jobs as consultants, advisors and board members of large corporations and it would be unrealistic to assume that the reason they were employed in such a way was not to make use of their contact lists and friendships to promote the people paying them.

What does this say about democracy? In a true democracy my opinion matters as much as your and both should be as important as an ex-minister. Yes the minister will have a better understanding of how government works and may be knowledgeable on his brief but we are all supposed to be equal.

If I were to try calling on the unelected lord mandleson I would expect to be given little time and my opinion to count for very little, always assuming I was given any time at all. Unfortunately an ex minister is likely to get a better reception. It may not be right but that is the way of the world. The old boys club has always existed and will continue to operate just as it does in our own lives with friends and family being given more attention than a stranger on the street.

There is a smell about the whole business and while I would not want to prevent any ex-minister from earning an honest living by using his knowledge, talent(?) and contacts it does need to be done in a totally transparent way.

There is a fine line between being an honest broker who knows significant people and using previous experience to pervert the course of democracy. We need to find a way to ensure that everything is above board and open though I suspect we will see pigs fly before that ever happens.